The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced that Party Leader Senator Oburu Oginga will spearhead the upcoming “Linda Ground” county tours in Western Kenya, beginning this weekend.

This comes as the party engages its grassroots amid internal debates on its political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In an official post on X dated January 16, 2026, ODM said the grassroots mobilisation initiative, dubbed “ODM Linda Ground County Tours,” will kick off on Saturday, January 17, in Malaba, Busia County, before heading to Kakamega Town, Kakamega County, on Sunday, January 18. The tours will be led by Oburu Oginga, signalling a renewed push to strengthen the party’s base in the region.

Operation Linda Ground

The “Operation Linda Ground” campaign was officially launched on January 14, 2026, at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibra Constituency, Nairobi, under Oburu’s leadership. The launch was attended by senior party figures, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.

The initiative seeks to deepen grassroots engagement, mobilise party membership, and incorporate local voices into ODM’s decision-making processes.

It comes at a time when the party is navigating leadership transitions and consultations on political alliances following the post-Raila Odinga era.

ODM has indicated that the tours are part of broader efforts to reinforce party structures at the county and constituency levels while maintaining active engagement with members as discussions continue on the party’s future political path.

Council of county chairs raises demands

The Western Kenya tour follows a January 15, 2026, meeting of the ODM Council of County Coordinating Chairs (CoCC), led by Chairman Zebedee Osabwa, Secretary Dickson Imanyara, and Ann Chepkwony. The council issued demands calling on ODM to field its own presidential candidate in 2027 to remain a distinct political force.

After consultations, the CoCC resolved to identify suitable presidential candidates and field contenders across all elective positions. The council also called for a status report on the implementation of the Ten-Point Agenda under the ODM–UDA agreement, urging that no further political deals be pursued before full compliance.

Criticism was also directed at the party’s steering committee over the cited sidelining of grassroots leaders. “We are the foundation and must be respected as we deserve,” Osabwa said, citing concerns over reduced consultation compared to previous practices.

Oburu’s decision to personally lead the Linda Ground tours in Western Kenya, a key ODM stronghold, comes amid ongoing debates over whether the party should pursue an independent presidential bid, maintain broad-based arrangements, or explore further coalitions.